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Message from Lynne Stewart

February 3, 2013

Family, Friends, Comrades, Supporters All,

I have been reminded of the need to update my message now that the cancer is confirmed and we are about to start treatment. This is definitely bad news but somehow in the toxic climate in which prisons in particular, but the whole country operates, I am determined that it can be beaten.

Factually, when I went (finally) for the hysterectomy in June of last year, a routine chest x-ray showed a spot on my lung. Further PET scans, sonograms, biopsies revealed (as of September) that there was my old breast cancer back in my lymph node (armpit) and lung. In January another Pet scan revealed that both lungs are involved as is my scapula (maybe). So now we are working on a treatment. I am fond of and have faith in my doctor—a young woman oncologist. Other medicos have concurred in that opinion. The treatment (chemo, pills, shots, not necessarily in that order) will be given to me in Fort Worth at a hospital called The Center, part of one of the big places here. There are problems:

It ain’t New York City with Sloan Kettering or New York Hospital where I was originally treated. Cutting edge places—excuse the pun!

All things in prison move VERY slowly, as you can see by the history here. It’s now February and I have had two sets of shots, estrogen related.

I am still transported and held in leg irons, belly chain and cuffs for each of these trips to the hospital. The guards are not unkind but of course, follow orders. It is most difficult to say the least.

Let me assure you all, though, that I am feeling good and have a high level of energy. This may change but so far so good. I do need a nap every afternoon but my doddering old age may have something to do with that!

We might have to call on all you folks if we decide to take action to try and force the Bureau of Prisons/Department of Justice to ameliorate conditions, etc. Stay tuned to the website. Ralph and our daughter, Dr. Zenobia Brown did an excellent program on WBAI (Sally O’Brien’s show) and Dr. Z as we call her also went on with Bob Lederer. These are archived. My good friends and comrades, Mya Schon and Ralph Schoenman, along with Ralph also did a great show on Taking Aim, a web broadcast that has been distributed widely on the net. I am hoping that my electronic geniuses can hook those up to this site. From the heart—all of this work and running both ways—them to me and me to them.

Meanwhile, it is dreary in Texas. I will soon be sharing with you our petition for Cert to the Supremes and the outlook there—also dreary.

I urge all of you to carry on our work politically. Now more than ever, all able bodied and those less so, need to be out there harassing the enemy and organizing the people, yes!